Generali Open Kitzbühel: semi-finals! Dominic Thiem beats Pablo Andujar
Dominic Thiem has reached the semi-finals of the Generali Open in Kitzbühel for the first time since 2015. The tournament favorite defeated the Spaniard Pablo Andujar 7: 6 (4) and 6: 4 and faces Lorenzo Sonego on Friday.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Aug 01, 2019, 07:21 pm
By Jens Huiber from Kitzbühel
Mark Uth, Alessandro Schöpf, Alexander Nübel and the rest of the Schalke crew, who were there for the hit game on Thursday at the Generali Open, pulled out their cell phones at exactly 5:20 p.m. - maybe about the invasion of Dominic Thiem for posterity sure to stick to their social media accounts. And indeed, the reception of a Champions League quarter-final was worthy, the wave rolled through the sold-out Kitzbühel stadium before the game even started.
Thiem started slightly nervous, as in the previous round against Sebastian Ofner. Could take the first 4: 3 lead after almost half an hour after two breaks and re-breaks. The Spaniard kept putting pressure on Thiem, especially on his forehand. Only at the end of the set Thiem was able to set the tone in the rallies, Andujar could not maintain his high level from the start of the match.
Thiem makes a comeback in the second set
In the tie-break, Thiem was always one step ahead, the magic stop to 4: 2 simply rolled away informally. 7: 4 after just over an hour of play and Andujar's double fault, which Thiem was happy to take away.
The quick 0: 3 deficit in the second set was not intended in the script, Thiem immediately eliminated the gap. The ominous seventh game did not live up to its reputation, but prompted the Schalke team to set off for evening training. For nuances too early - because Thiem finally made the decisive break to 5: 4. After 107 minutes of play, Thiem's victory was certain. The Lower Austrian said that he had found his way into the fight after his victory, but basically he always knew that he could take Andujar's serve at any time.
Sonego beats Verdasco
In the semi-finals, Lorenzo Sonego is waiting, somewhat surprisingly. The Italian had to fend off eight match balls in round one against Federico Delbonis, and at least one in the second game against Roberto Carballes Baena. The two-set win against Fernando Verdasco will not have bored Sonego. And to a certain extent also plays Dominic Thiem, who has never won against Verdasco.